Monday, August 30, 2010

Time for a Change


Except for the Mora clock, the room above has pretty much looked this way since the day we moved into our house almost ten years ago. I have grown tired of the darkness of the red, the abundance of accessories and the “woody” feel of the space. Thus, I have come to the conclusion it is time for a change.

My plan is to begin by adding a new wall color, lighter curtains – probably panels - and updated pillows. I want to remove some of the accessories to allow the room to breathe and add a fun rug for softness. My goal is to reuse most of the furnishings and some of accessories in order to keep costs to a minimum.

Here is a quick tour of the room as it looks today:


While our house was being built, my husband found the oak doors at a local antique shop. We quickly changed our plans to accommodate them in lieu of the standard pocket doors we had planned. (These obviously will stay.)


My grandmother had a terrific sense of style both in the way she dressed and how she decorated her home. The carved African heads were purchased by her on an African safari and the brass candle sticks (seen in the first picture above) came from a trip to Greece.


I also inherited her sewing box (above) which she had painted by Minnesota artist Enid Grindland in the traditional Norwegian style of Rosemaling. The plate between the windows (below) was a special Christmas present also created by the same artist. I consider both these pieces treasures as they belonged to my Grandmother and are part of my Norwegian heritage.


The furniture is a set – two chairs and a sofa - I refinished when my husband and I were first married. My in-laws had it in their basement but had no room for it in their house. I do not plan to have these pieces reupholstered as the fabric is still in great shape and the cost of this little room redo would skyrocket.


This quarter sawn oak table was found at a flea market my husband and I used to visit every Sunday when we were first married. It was one of those spur of the moment purchases which at the time was probably not very smart - we had little money, no real furniture, etc. – but turned out to be something I am so glad we did. Can you guess what it is?


An antique game table! It is such a fun piece and although we have not used it for its intended purpose since moving here (hard to move with so much other furniture in the way) we have played many a card game on it in previous houses. This too will stay.


On the “probably will be replaced at some point list” is the Bob Timberlake coffee table. I would like to find something more in keeping with the eclectic style and feeling of the rest of the room.


The skirted table will have a fabric change at the very least and most likely will be gone completely. (I never realized how much this fabric looks like my living room curtain fabric!)  I am thinking about a smaller more modern table to add a little twist to this room. (Let me know if you have any ideas.)


I like the size of the mirror and how it looks hanging above the game table but I am not so sure about the gold finish. This was an Ethan Allen floor sample so I am not opposed to painting it. I will have to wait on see on this idea until the rest of the room comes together.

So there you have it. My “red room” which I no longer want to be red! I will be heading to the paint store this week for the first step in this transformation.

I have not even begun to look at fabric for pillows and curtains, rugs or additional furnishings. I know this is probably not the best way to approach a room transformation - most designers will tell you to have a plan in place before you begin. I am just going to “wing it” and change things one at a time and see what develops! Sounds like fun doesn’t it?

19 comments:

Rachael West said...

I love how so many of your furnishing have stories tied to them... it makes a house feel like a home for sure. Sometimes I find myself looking around my livingroom placing each item where I first saw it!

COTTAG3 said...

We had many rooms in our house (most of the main living areas downstairs) painted red and that was almost 9 years ago. We loved it. A couple of months ago, we painted over all of it except one room (master bedroom which is primarily beadboard so very little actual red). We painted everything a light neutral and I love it. Now, any red accent pieces really stand out. It's much brighter and more cheerful and looks a lot bigger! Can't wait to see how yours turns out. LOVE those doors!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Your plans sound wonderful. I also had a red family room and loved it for years. Eventually it was painted a soft camel color. Good luck with your changes. I know the room will be beautiful.
Hugs, Sherry

ps: I love the red check table cover. If you decide to sell it please let me know.

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

I can't wait to see what you do. The room is beautiful, but I can totally see the direction you are wanting to go. I think it will be so beautiful!!

xoxo
Jen

Cassie Bustamante said...

i had a red room in my last house that i LOVED. when we moved i decided i needed to be surrounded by colors that invoked serenity and peace. the red just agitates me with its high energy! i bet you will feel calmer when it is lightened up. it's going to look amazing- you have such a great eye that i can't wait to see what you come up with. and i LOVE that clock!

Amy Kinser said...

I can't wait to see what you do with this already pretty room. I love the stories behind so many of your things.

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

We had a red living room for 15 years - gone - mustard (goldish) yellow - love it! We had a red office/guest room for 11 years - gone - antique white - love it! I can't wait to see what you do, and I KNOW you'll love it! Linda

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Well, have fun with it! Have you decided on an actual color for the walls? When I "refreshed" my living room I left the wall color {yellow} and just worked around it. I have two skirted round tables in my room and just changed out the fabric to burlap tablecloths from Ballards. If you want to take yours out entirely, I think it would be good to stay with a round table, but perhaps something with an interesting base.

Handbags*and*Pigtails said...

I know how you feel. Before I got into blogging(and therefore decorating and DIY and all that) I painted my kitchen red! Now Im hating it and craving something more calming. I cant wait to see the transformation here, mainly because I need inspiration myself!:)
Sarah
HandbagsnPigtails.blogspot.com

Allison said...

It'll be fun to see what color you decide on. I can tell you have a great design sense so I'm sure it's going to look beautiful. Those doors are gorgeous and I love your chandelier. I love to redecorate and use most of what I have already. Have fun!

Chandra said...

Absolutely! That's exactly how I decorate my home as well...a little of this, a pinch of that, and a dash of style! I love using what I love...not matter the cost or name brand. If I love it, I buy it and it goes in my home! :)

Kristi said...

I can't wait to see what you do to the room! It's beautiful now but I know it will REALLY shine!
I love your grandmother's sewing box and the charger on the wall, they are both rosemaling (sp?) right? I love that style of painting!
I vote keeping the mirror the way it is until last, I have a feeling the gold is going to be gorgeous with a new color on the walls! If not, then paint it :)
I'd love your tableskirt! I have the matching panels!
Kristi

Moore Minutes said...

Fun! Changing things is always exciting and it sounds like you have a good plan. I LOVE and WANT your clock! It is gorgeous. You are a lucky girl. <3

Also, I have a giveaway on my blog right now that I would love for you to enter if you're interested and haven't already done so! =)

Nicole said...

Visiting from the LBS Barbeque! Beautiful pieces!

Classic NYer said...

Dropping by from LBS... I'd love to see what it looks like when you're finished. :)

http://www.classicnycstory.com

Single and Sane said...

I does sound fun! I love the room as it is, but I know we need to change things up once in awhile to keep it fresh.

Stopping by from Lady Bloggers.

Megs said...

Just stopped by as a visitor from the Lady Blogger Tea Party! I love the antique game table! What great ideas!

Holly Lefevre said...

I am so excited to see what yo do. You style is amazing and your design inspiring.

Be Colorful Coastal said...

I am so on board with you. When I look at your pictures I see a lot of my own decorating style but I, too, have been recently rethinking our home and where I want to take it.... lighter, brighter, more streamlined more modern. Change is good. It keeps us young. :0
I did enjoy seeing the rosemaled piece. I am a Norwegian also. With the maiden name of Aanestad what else could I be? :)
Pam

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